Reviews
Puerto Rico Strong by Derek Ruiz, Hazel Newlevant, Neil Schwartz, Desiree Rodriguez, Marco Lopez
kierli's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Wonderful mix of history, happiness, sadness, so human.
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
3.0
It's really tough to put out an anthology of comics for a good cause and make it memorable. This collection boasts a number of talented artists and writers from the comics industry. And while I found myself nodding (in agreement, not exhaustion) at several times while I read it, when I reached the end, none of it had stuck with me.
Most of the stories felt rushed and played more on sentimentality than on engaging with emotions. I don't blame any of the creative teams for this, as it's incredibly tough to pack a three to ten page graphic novel story with enough information and character to stay with a reader.
Also, at the end of the book were a series of pull quotes about how honored all the creators were to be involved, and it felt garish and self-aggrandizing rather than humble and sincere.
I recommend this mainly to people who enjoy the modern fund-raising anthology. It's for a good cause, and I don't doubt the intentions of anyone involved with this project.
Most of the stories felt rushed and played more on sentimentality than on engaging with emotions. I don't blame any of the creative teams for this, as it's incredibly tough to pack a three to ten page graphic novel story with enough information and character to stay with a reader.
Also, at the end of the book were a series of pull quotes about how honored all the creators were to be involved, and it felt garish and self-aggrandizing rather than humble and sincere.
I recommend this mainly to people who enjoy the modern fund-raising anthology. It's for a good cause, and I don't doubt the intentions of anyone involved with this project.
madelyn91's review against another edition
5.0
I hope other publishing houses & writers take head of this anthology. Truly. A wonderful and beautifully rich collection that honestly represents all of PR. This is what publishing should be, people supporting people.
The illustrations are incredible and each story is as lively as the one before it. My favorite was A Taino’s Tale. A comic book anthology that is a woke celebration of our heritage.
The illustrations are incredible and each story is as lively as the one before it. My favorite was A Taino’s Tale. A comic book anthology that is a woke celebration of our heritage.
robinks's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
Anthologies are always a little tough for me, especially since all the art styles, stories, and pacing are different for each contribution. I liked Taino Online.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Sexism, Blood, Racism, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Colonisation, Genocide, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexism, Fatphobia, War, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Cannibalism, and Xenophobia
chelseamartinez's review against another edition
3.0
I understand the urgency (and fundraising motivation) with which this collection was put together, and appreciate it for the breadth of visual styles represented. I do wish there was a bit more variety in the stories themselves, not to put down the importance of home-going, especially in the aftermath of a disaster.
lazymuggle's review
3.0
This anthology features different styles of art so it was easy to like a few of them. I appreciate the effort in putting this together and the history lessons presented in some of the stories. My main issues have been shared by other reviewers here - some of the stories are too short and most are not very memorable.
I'll probably purchase a physical copy for my library.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an electronic version in exchange for an honest review.
I'll probably purchase a physical copy for my library.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an electronic version in exchange for an honest review.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
5.0
Remember Puerto Rico? That island surrounded by water? The one had got hit by not just one hurricane but two? The one that still hasn’t had its electricity completely restored? Yeah, that one.
This book is a compilation of different artists who either live or have lived in Peurto Rico. And unlike some anthologies that just says things like, hey, buy this book and help raise fund for brining Puerto Rico back from the brink, this one educates. I make it a point of knowing indigenous peoples history. I tell people everything I know, and the wrongs we have done, as white people, as colonists to the people who were here first, but wow, there is stuff in this book that I didn’t even have a ingling of.
There are stories of the original indigious peoples that lived on the island before first contact with Columbus, and the disaster that that brought. There are stories of the horrors of what the Spaniards brought, and then the Americans. There is even a story where the father is retelling history of the Spaniards, where the Indiginous peoples are taken care of, and live well. Even though there are no “tribes” of the original people left, most of the people in Peurto Rico have the DNA of those peoples.
So, while this is a good book to buy to help raise money for Puerto Rico’s recovery, this is also an excellent book to get educated with, while being entertained...and outraged at what the Puerto Rican’s have had to endure in the past and are still enduring.
Even though this is a review copy, I damn well am going to go out and buy this when it is published. It is a great collection to own, and learn from.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This book is a compilation of different artists who either live or have lived in Peurto Rico. And unlike some anthologies that just says things like, hey, buy this book and help raise fund for brining Puerto Rico back from the brink, this one educates. I make it a point of knowing indigenous peoples history. I tell people everything I know, and the wrongs we have done, as white people, as colonists to the people who were here first, but wow, there is stuff in this book that I didn’t even have a ingling of.
There are stories of the original indigious peoples that lived on the island before first contact with Columbus, and the disaster that that brought. There are stories of the horrors of what the Spaniards brought, and then the Americans. There is even a story where the father is retelling history of the Spaniards, where the Indiginous peoples are taken care of, and live well. Even though there are no “tribes” of the original people left, most of the people in Peurto Rico have the DNA of those peoples.
So, while this is a good book to buy to help raise money for Puerto Rico’s recovery, this is also an excellent book to get educated with, while being entertained...and outraged at what the Puerto Rican’s have had to endure in the past and are still enduring.
Even though this is a review copy, I damn well am going to go out and buy this when it is published. It is a great collection to own, and learn from.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
ladyaofthesnow's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful anthology of stories about Puerto Rico. There was a nice mixture of personal stories, political statements, and history. I do wish there was a bit more about the African influences in Puerto Rico, but I love all the history about the Tainos. Reading a lot of these stories reminded me of all the stories my dad would tell me growing up (and continues to tell me). This book made me sad for the things that were lost, but hopeful for the future.
librarybrooke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0